Pools, pizza, ziplining and golf! Heise Hot Springs is a rustic, well-loved hot springs resort with friendly staff for year-round soaking, fun and that famed pizza, whatever the weather. Some call it quaint, others call it dated. Grab your family and friends, give it a try, and see what you think.
| Address | 5136 E Heise Rd, Ririe, Idaho |
| Location | Heise, Idaho |
| Open | Monday – Friday: 2pm – 10pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 10pm |
| Clothing | Required |
| Road Access | Easy. All vehicles |
| Water Temperature | 104°F |
| Admission | $12/day |
What To Expect
Heise Hot Springs has a natural, under-cover mineral hot spring pool kept at around 104°F, perfect for soaking away your cares during the summer, and warming up in mineral goodness in winter.
The top minerals here are potassium, sodium, calcium carbonate, magnesium chloride and silica, which, put together, means you’ll come out with smooth, soft skin, and rejuvenated bones and muscles. The water is also lightly charged with hydrogen sulfide gas.
There is a cooler, 92°F, shallow pool of fresh water, perfect for kids and families, while little ones will love the splash zone!
During the summer months, Heise Hot Springs opens their large, chlorinated Summer Pool (main picture) of 84°F, with a diving board and space around to sunbathe, great for all- whether you fancy swimming a few laps, or just want to relax or play with friends or family.
In summer, the 350-foot tube slide is opened, which comes out into its own shallow pool. Upgrade your day pass to include unlimited sliding for an additional $5.
Two important notes: The pools get very busy on weekends. And you should opt for modest swimwear, as revealing bikinis have been frowned upon in the past, this being a family-oriented destination.
Our favorite time to be there is in the evening, when all the pool lights come on!
Heise also has weekday swimming lessons, as well as Lifeguarding and Water Safety Instructor courses for American Red Cross Certification – find out more on their website.
There are simple changing rooms with lockers, and bathrooms on-site.
Admission
| All pools, no slide, +6% sales tax | All pools and Unlimited Water Slide Rides, +6% sales tax | |
| Adults (12+) | $12 | $17 |
| Children | $10 | $15 |
Suits, towels and life jackets can be rented for up to $2.
Season Swim Passes are available.
Heise Hot Springs is not only for soaking – you can golf and go zip-lining too, whatever your age, and enjoy unbeatable views of the surrounding countryside! They have created a zipline tour of 7 separate 300 to 1,400-feet ziplines which cover more than 1.5 miles and can take from 30 minutes to two hours of your time to explore. All safety equipment, transportation and instruction is provided. We like the fact that the course offers double lines: two ziplines running side-by-side- great fun when doing it with a friend or family member.
Heise also has a wonderfully kept 9-hole executive golf course (for those aged 5+) which you can play on against the backdrop of the beautiful Heise mountains.
Hungry? Head to the Heise Snack Bar in the Summer Pool building for a filling choice of fast-food favorites, including onion rings, nachos, salads, burgers, milkshakes and ice cream. You can eat indoors or, in the summer, poolside.
Heise Pizza Parlor has a legendary pizza menu to enjoy inside, accompanied by music (and in winter a cozy wood fire) or quietly out on the deck overlooking the golf course. Open Monday-Thursday: 12pm – 9pm, Friday and Saturday:12pm – 10pm, Sunday: 12 – 8pm.
The property has a selection of shelters and picnic areas for rent for large groups if you want to entertain/feed more mouths!
Interesting History
Indians used the Upper Snake River Valley for hunting and fishing, and the hot springs for bathing. Even the wild animals were witnessed to have come there to soak their wounds in the hot minerals to speed up the healing process.
German immigrant Richard Camor Heise, having fought in the Civil War, came to Idaho in 1890 and became a traveling salesman. On his travels, he heard of the hot springs and on finding they relieved his severe rheumatism, he homesteaded the area and sought to develop the hot springs after the spas he had known in Europe. His guests came from far and wide, aided by Elof Nelson, who constructed a ferry boat to cross the Snake River one mile below Heise.
Mr. Heise donated some of his land for a school building for the growing community. You can still see it about 1/4 mile above the resort, at the edge of the golf course, but it has had rooms added and it is being used as a cabin.
After Mr. Heise’s death, Bertha Gavin, his daughter, took over the management of Heise Hot Springs. The bridge, which she campaigned for, is named after her.
How To Get There
Heise Hot Springs is 31 minutes (23.5 miles) from Idaho Falls. Take the US-26 E and turn left onto the N-160 E/Heise Road and follow this. Cross Snake River, turn right. The Heise Hot Springs will be on the right just after the bend.
Can I Stay There?
Yes. Heise has a large, extensive, tree-shaded campground for tents and RVs managed by friendly staff, open mid-April to mid-October.
There are also six cabins and a cute park model trailer for rent. The studio cabins are one bedroom with a bathroom but no kitchen (up to 2 people: $100 – $150), while the 2-room cabins have a bathroom and fully-fitted kitchen (up to 4 people: $175 – $250). The park model trailer is one-bedroom, one bathroom and has a fully-fitted kitchen (up to 2 people: $175).
For reservations or information, contact the RV office.
Note that pool admission is not included within the camping or cabin fees, and there are just two toilets for the whole campsite, so campers might find themselves lining up in summer, or using the Porta Potty in the day-use area.
Camping check in: After 1pm, before dark. Check out: 12 noon.
Cabin check in: After 2pm, before dark. Check out: 11am.
Camping Rates
| Camping – Full hookup | $50 |
| Camping – Dry | $30 |
What Else Can I Do In The Area?
As Heise is river- and mountain-side, you can enjoy boating, hiking and cross-country biking in the summer and sledding, skiing, and tubing all through winter.
Looking for more Idaho hot springs? We’ve made a list of the 10 best places to soak in Idaho, and if you’re on a budget, check out the state’s free and natural mineral hot pools too.
The Takeaway
The rustic Heise Hot Springs makes for a great family day or weekend out in summer, and the perfect soaking destination with friends in winter. Grab a pizza, go zip-lining and try some golf if the weather’s right. Feel-good vibes all round!
The Dos And Don’ts Of Visiting A Hot Springs
Every hot springs has its own quirks. Visitors to Heise Hot Springs, for example, should be ready for a rustic feel, strict pool rules and a family-oriented vibe. For more general and very important “hot springs etiquette,” take a moment to check out our carefully compiled list of “dos and don’ts”.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Heise Hot Springs campground is open from mid-April to mid-October.
Camping at Heise Hot Springs will set you back $30 – $50 a night, depending on your hookup requirements.
Heise Hot Springs is 31 minutes (23.5 miles) from Idaho Falls.
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the latest information about these hot springs sites, life happens, weather happens, and property owners happen. We always recommend you go to the official hot springs’ web page and/or the relevant state authority page to check conditions, times, and prices (where relevant) before you head out. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your soak!
